Governor Henry McMaster today announced that the state of South Carolina remains in a state of emergency due to continued flooding from Hurricane Florence and potential impact from Hurricane Michael. Forecasters believe Hurricane Michael will weaken to a tropical storm after making landfall and should begin affecting the state Thursday.

Governor Henry McMaster addressed the public in a press conference from South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) this afternoon at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

Governor McMaster began by saying that while the actual hurricane, Hurricane Florence, was not as bad as predicted, the flooding that occured in Florence's aftermath was as bad as predicted. Areas in Georgetown, Socastee, Conway and other coastal areas are still experiencing "enormous flooding" the governor said.

Governor Henry McMaster addressed the public in a press conference from South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) this afternoon at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, September 16, 2018.

According to the National Weather Service, as of 11 a.m., Florence is a tropical depression and is moving west-northwest at ten miles-per-hour. It is expected to move across the upstate of South Carolina today, and out of the state some time tonight.

Governor Henry McMaster addressed the public in a press conference from South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) this afternoon at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 15, 2018.

There has been one storm related fatality at this time. Amber Dorn Lee of Union County passed away due to a downed tree on the highway. Governor McMaster expressed his sympathies and extended his prayers to her family and friends.

Governor Henry McMaster addressed the public in a press conference from South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) this afternoon at 2:30 p.m., Friday, September 14, 2018.

"Hurricane Florence is different from those we've had before. This hurricane is going to be with us for about two days." McMaster said.

McMaster went on to say that this is the closest storm we have had to Hurricane Hugo, but Florence is unlike Hugo in that it will remain on land and in terms of catostrophic, enduring rainfall and as rain shifts from North Carolina, potential flooding.

As Hurricane Florence approaches the Carolina coastline, South Carolinians are preparing and evacuating. South Carolina's Emergency Management Division advises having an emergency kit ready whether you are traveling to stay with friends and family, going to a shelter, or staying at home where there could be power outages and other damage. As the storm will likely not take effect in South Carolina until late Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15, there is still time to prepare.